Sunday Safari

We woke before dawn.

We went out to the deck to see

 Venus and Jupiter with the 

waning crescent moon.

I watered the seedlings 

first thing.

I removed the tall toms I had soaking overnight.

I will fill the pots with soil and more zinnia seeds.

Zinnias will be wonderful butterfly food come August.

We have two 20 gallon tubs filled with water

on the deck.

We are dechlorinating the water

for our hand watering.

The butterflies are out early

in the day.

Our lows are in the 70's.

Highs are once again in the upper 90's

 and into the 100's.

I checked the Fig garden.

The Figs are doing just fine in the heat.

I think we will have a nice crop come September.

The gourds are beginning to form.

I am very excited.

They will stay on the trellis until

next April.

Still we have had no rain.

The birds find ways to stay cool in the heat.

After watering the plants and refilling the bird and bug's
water dishes I sat with the birds.

By 9am I was inside.

I am enjoying my inside time this summer.
I am adjusting to the heat and dryness.
I made garden potato salad and lemon sorbet.

I am falling in love with my handmade life.
It is a simple life.  It is the life of a gardener.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

I heard the wind come up.
I stepped outside.
Temperatures dropped from 105 degrees to 95 degrees.

Overnight the winds shifted to the Northeast.

Our heat wave is broken, for now.

I watered the seedlings this morning.
Like I have done every morning for weeks.

I cannot leave the gardens until we have rain.

The birds and the bugs depend on the water I set out.

Our gardens are in survival mode.

There will be no thrive until the rains return.

I have been studying.

Learning to trust nature.
Learning to let go.

I have been following the moon

and learning Luna Astrology.

It has been so dry we have had no

morning dew.

I carry water and become the dew.

Too hot to walk,

so I dance the Mambo and pray for rain.

Happy Sunday Safari.

May you find a smile today.

Sunday Safari

July came in hot and dry.

A Tiger Swallowtail

in the Tiger Lilies

made me smile.

The sunflowers continue to feed the bees.

In July I am honoring the Spirit 

of Stones.

My desk mechanical pencil

rests on a stone.

The layers remind me of 

my own layers.

I am working with stones.

I am reading

and listening.

My husband brought me a Hawk's feather.

It has a place of honor on the sideboard.

It is Dragon Sunday.

The first Sunday of the month.

The mint is in full bloom.

Another 100 degree day.

Another week of 100 plus degrees

forecasted.

No rain.

We celebrate Independence Day on the 4th.
I have my flags out decorating the house.

I think about Lady Liberty
and the hope she once gave.

We have a full month scheduled.

We have plans to watch the opening ceremonies
of the Summer Olympics.

The All Star Game comes to 

Kansas City on the 10th.

We will listen to the game on the radio.

We have rocks to tumble and rain dances to dance.
Happy July. Stay safe. Stay hydrated.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

It is because of the summer heat
the coneflowers thrive.

They are a wonderful food source.

After the seeds set

the Goldfinches will have a feast.

I am growing sweet peas this year just for me.
I am charmed.
As the temperatures rise into the upper 90's
and low 100's I wonder how long they will hold on.

I am aware of the heat and the stress it puts on the wildlife.

Some seem to thrive and others wilt.

On my morning garden walk I made sure all the bird baths and puddlers were full of water.

I am being quiet today.

I am remembering my sister.
I miss her. Twelve years seems long ago.
I can still hear her voice as if we talked yesterday.

Years ago an elderly neighbor brought up her old
garden club books. She thought since I was a gardener I would treasure them. I do. I treasure the memory of her.

We planted Mexican Sunflowers.
They are the favorite nectar source of the Giant Swallowtail.

I did up my first terrarium.
It was so fun to do.

It is on my husband's nightstand.
I shall keep gathering for terrariums.

I am planning my September flowers now.
The bees and butterflies will need nectar.

I am deciding now what I will need in December
and January to remind me of the garden.
To help chase the winter blues I will need flowers
and mint tea.

I am planning our July and even though
it is unbearably hot in the afternoons
I am falling in love with summertime.
At dusk we sit on the deck.
We watch the dance of the fireflies.

I love the Fireflies.
They love the summer.
Happy Sunday Safari.
Stay cool and hydrated.